Kemi Badenoch is preparing to reshape her Conservative frontbench, with Tom Tugendhat expected to replace Dame Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary.
The move would bring Mr Tugendhat back into a senior opposition role after he served as security minister in the Home Office and previously chaired the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. ([hideme.live](https://hideme.live/proxy/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5d7ry053eo?utm_source=openai))
Dame Priti has said she is stepping aside from the foreign affairs brief to take on a new international role for the Conservative Party, aimed at strengthening links with sister parties and centre-right movements overseas.
“I’m pleased to continue supporting Kemi and the Conservative Party in a new role strengthening our relationships with fellow conservatives and centre-right parties around the world,” she said. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-08-30/dame-priti-patel-returns-to-back-benches-to-take-on-international-role?utm_source=openai))
Her departure comes as Ms Badenoch prepares wider changes to her shadow cabinet next month. The reshuffle was already expected after Sir James Cleverly resigned as shadow housing secretary to pursue a bid to become London mayor.
The shadow energy brief is also likely to require cover while Claire Coutinho takes maternity leave, adding to the pressure on the Conservative leader to refresh her top team.
Mr Tugendhat, a former soldier and security minister, has been a prominent voice on national security and foreign policy. His appointment would give the Conservatives a senior spokesman with direct experience of both defence and international affairs. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tom-tugendhat?utm_source=openai))
